Histological and immunohistochemical study of 30 cases of canine meningioma
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1Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
This report describes the incidence, location and histopathological and immunohistochemical features of 30 canine meningiomas, of which 22 were intracranial, three were retrobulbar and five were located in the spinal canal. Nine types of meningioma were diagnosed: transitional (9), meningothelial (5), psammomatous (3), anaplastic (3), fibroblastic (2), angioblastic (2), papillary (2), microcystic (1) and meningiomas arising from the optic nerve (3). One of the optic nerve tumours had a granular cell component. All tumours were examined immunohistochemically with antibodies against vimentin, S100, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), cytokeratin (CK) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Vimentin was demonstrated in all tumours, and concentric whorls of cells showed more intense labelling than did bundles of fibroblastic cells. S100 labelling was detected in all tumours except a single angioblastic meningioma. The intensity of labelling for S100 was lower than that for vimentin, and bundles of fibroblastic cells showed particularly strong positivity. NSE labelling was highly variable, but most tumours displayed moderate positivity. CK expression was observed in five of the 30 meningiomas, and was stronger in areas of microcystic differentiation. Most of the tumours were GFAP-negative, but two fibroblastic meningiomas were strongly positive.
Insights
This study details 30 canine meningiomas, revealing diverse types and locations. Immunohistochemistry confirmed vimentin in all tumors, with variable S100, NSE, CK, and GFAP expression across canine meningioma subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Canine Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Meningiomas are common primary tumors of the central nervous system in dogs.
- Understanding their histopathological and immunohistochemical features is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, location, histopathology, and immunohistochemical characteristics of canine meningiomas.
- To correlate these features with tumor type and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 30 canine meningiomas (22 intracranial, 3 retrobulbar, 5 spinal).
- Histopathological classification into nine types.
- Immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against vimentin, S100, NSE, CK, and GFAP.
Main Results:
- Vimentin was positive in all meningiomas; S100 was positive in all except one angioblastic meningioma.
- NSE showed variable positivity; CK was detected in five tumors, stronger in microcystic areas.
- Most tumors were GFAP-negative, but two fibroblastic meningiomas were strongly positive.
Conclusions:
- Canine meningiomas exhibit diverse histopathological types and locations.
- Immunohistochemistry, particularly vimentin and S100, aids in diagnosing canine meningiomas.
- Variations in NSE, CK, and GFAP expression may correlate with specific subtypes.

